From: Eugen Leitl (eugen@leitl.org)
Date: Sat Apr 27 2002 - 05:19:32 MDT
On Fri, 26 Apr 2002, Samantha Atkins wrote:
> So, you think trade is the ultimate and only good way for sentient
> beings to relate while being driven by rational selfishness? Do you
> also think that their understanding of what really is in their
> self-interest will never include some or perhaps all of which you now
> disparage as irrational because it is "altruism"? If so, what is the
> convincing rational argument that persuades you?
Altruism emerges from rational selfishness, especially in an iterated
context. Not only it's the nice thing to do, it's the smart thing to do.
The only altruism which is incompatible with rational selfishness of the
individual is gene-driven and meme-driven altruism, becase the selfishness
driving the agent's behaviour is not the individual agent's.
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